Yoshinkan Aikido
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to those of Honorable Alignments. No Attribute requirements.
Skill Cost: 14 Years (11 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Aikido was created in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969). Originally called "aikibudo" and "aikinomichi," Ueshiba changed the name of his style to "Aikido" in 1942. Drawing upon his training in Daito Ryu Aikijustu, kendo/kenjutsu, several varieties of jujutsu, and sojutsu, Ueshiba combined many of the techniques of these styles, along with some of his own creation to develop the style. Ueshiba felt that there could be an art designed to control one's ambitions and desires along with martial training, so he immersed himself in religious studies and developed a philosophy devoted to a universal socio-political harmony. By incorporating these principles into his martial art, Ueshiba developed many facets of aikido in concert with this philosophical and religious ideology. This allowed him to present aikido as a vehicle toward enlightenment. Ueshiba is considered "O-Sensei" by all aikidoka (practitioners of aikido). Yoshinkan Aikido is the style taught by the late Gozo Shioda. Shioda Sensei studied with O Sensei from the mid-1930s. In 1955, Shioda Sensei begin teaching and formed the organization known as the Yoshinkan. Unlike many later organizations, the Yoshinkan has always maintained friendly relations with the Aikikai both during and after O Sensei's life.

Aikido uses throws and joint locks from jujutsu and combines these techniques with a sharpness of body movement derived from kenjutsu combined with flexibility and smoothness derived from jojutsu. Striking is learned, though not often utilized. This is done primarily for safety during training, yet it is taught so that the aikidoka can apply striking techniques effectively. Techniques are also taught in a systematic manner with students learning both attack and defense. In the Aikido arts you learn how to take rolls and falls safely as well as how to throw and perform joint lock techniques. Basic techniques are used for testing but literally hundreds of moves are possible. Yet for all it's martial devotion, Aikido is not exclusively a combat system, but instead a method of self-improvement. The goal of Aikido is not to learn how to defeat others, but rather, to defeat one's own negative qualities. By doing so, this style emphasizes the art of counter-attack because the number of possible counters contained in the technical methods of evading an attack, weakening its extended force, and subjugating the attacker through a projection, a blow, or immobilization are interminable. Toward this end, the aikidoka uses Simultaneous Attacks, Automatic Body Flip/Throws, and Automatic Holds/Locks against striking attacks and uses reversals against grappling attacks.

Weapons training in Aikido can include the jo (staff), tanto (knife), and bokken (sword); the three principal weapons used in aikido. However, while the goal of aikido is not primarily to learn how to use weapons, there are several reasons for weapons training in aikido. Since many of the techniques in Aikido are derived from weapon styles, many of the strikes as well as defense against weapons are taught. In addition, the use of weapons develops the aikidoka's distancing, timing, principles governing lines of attack and defense, principles of movement and technique, and also cultivates a kind of responsiveness and sensitivity to the movements and actions of others within a format that is usually highly structured, allowing for easier focus of cognitive development.

In addition to physical techniques, Aikido stresses self-discipline, observation and modification of both psychological and physical responses. Aikido training emphasizes proper etiquette at all times to facilitate psychological responses, social courtesy, and cooperative training. Techniques in aikido are learned through observation (of demonstration of techniques and self-observation in regards to self-discipline) and through cooperative enterprise. Aikidoka learn to cooperate by practicing techniques with a partner, not an opponent. The training is highly idealized and stylized initially, allowing aikidoka to learn the basic patterns of movement. At advanced levels, the practitioner increases the power and speed of attacks which teaches the student to adapt the basic strategies of aikido movement to a broader variety of attacks.

The Yoshinkan is a harder style of Aikido, generally concerned with practical efficiency and physically robust techniques. It is taught to many branches of the Japanese Police. It places emphasis on the use of Aikido as complete budo or martial system, physically, mentally and spiritually. It uses a systematic way of teaching basic aikido motion, philosophy and technique.

Costume: The primary costume of the aikidoka is the Keiko gi/do gi/gi or Practice uniform. This is further supplemented through wearing Hakama (a Split skirt/wide legged pants). Additional costume features include a Tenugui (small hand cloth to wipe face which is also worn under the helmet in sword practice), Embu Gi (demonstration uniform), Montsuki (wide sleeved top with mon(family crest) on chest, sleeve and back), Uwa gi (practice top), Obi (typically white or black belt), Zekken (chest patch embroidered with own name and dojo name) and Tabi (split-toed sock-slippers) for wear inside the dojo and Zori (sandals) for use outside the dojo.
Stance: Aikido's standard position is the Shizentai Gamae, a natural stance that can be facing either right or left. In right stance, the feet are a shoulder's width apart, right foot facing forward, left foot pointing left, right arm loosely extended at chest level, left arm a hand's width from the body, hands extended loosely with all fingers separated.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 to M.E.
Add +2 to M.A.
Add +2 to P.P.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Breakfall, Roll With Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Strike, Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Knife Hand Knockout, Punch (Human Fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Automatic Flip/Lock (New!), Automatic Flip/Throw, Body Flip/Throw, Choke, Combination Grab/Face Punch (New!), Critical Flip/Throw, Reverse Hold/Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: Automatic Elbow Lock, Automatic Finger Lock, Automatic Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata: None.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi and Martial Art Techniques or Weapon Katas from W.P. Jo (Staff), Tanto (Knife), and Bokken (Blunt). If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese
Cultural(Pick Two): Bonsai, Calligraphy, Go, Haiku, Ikebana, or Ukio-e.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Jo (staff), Tanto (knife), and Bokken (blunt sword, uses W.P. Blunt).
Philosophical Training: While there is no unified philosophy of Aikido, many aikidoka share a loose collection of metaphysical, ethical, and religious beliefs commonly transmitted by word of mouth. Ueshiba himself was an adherent to on quasi-new religion, called Omotokyo. Omotokyo is comprised partly of neo-shintoism and partly of socio-political ideology. The goal of this philosophy is the unification of all humanity in a single, "heavenly kingdom on earth" where all religions are united under the aegis of Omotokyo.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Aiki-Buken (5 Years), Kokikai Aikido (4 Years), Seidokan Aikido (6 Years), Tomiki Ryu Aikido (3 Years), Yoseikan Aikido (5 Years), Yoshokai Aikido (5 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Disarm.
2nd: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Weapon Katas from W.P. Jo (Staff), Tanto (Knife), and Bokken (Blunt).
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Disarm.
4th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)(Throws do an extra die of damage for a total of two dice of damage).
5th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Breakfall.
6th: Critical Body Flip/Throw on Natural 18, 19 or 20 (double damage), +1 to Disarm.
7th: +2 to Parry, +1 to Breakfall.
8th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Weapon Katas from W.P. Jo (Staff), Tanto (Knife), and Bokken (Blunt).
9th: +1 Attack per Melee.
10th: +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws).
11th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Disarm.
12th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Breakfall.
13th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Body Flip/Throw (includes all throws)(Throws do an extra die of damage for a total of three dice of damage).
14th: Select One (1) Zenjorike.
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Weapon Katas from W.P. Jo (Staff), Tanto (Knife), and Bokken (Blunt).
Why Study Yoshinkan Aikido?
A harder style of aikido, this style emphasizes offense more than defense.